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Spices in the old souq, Doha

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Qatar

Things to see in Doha

Tourist information: 

Qatar Tourist Authority
PO Box 24624
Tel: 441 1555.
www.experienceqatar.com

Al Shaqab Stud

For horse lovers this is Doha's number one attraction, a chance to get right up close to Emir Sheik Hamad Bin Ali Al Thani's famed horses. Tours include visits to the training grounds and stables, with often the chance to see one of the ultra expensive horses being taken for a trot around the expansive grounds.

Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Al Rayyan (on edge of the city), Doha, Qatar
Telephone: 454 6245.
Website: http://www.alshaqab.com
Corniche

This exotic 7km (4-mile) walkway is the number one attraction in Doha. This is where business people come to get away from the office for a while, young lovers come to stroll and tourists flock to take in views of the city and enjoy what Arabian Gulf breezes there are on hot sunny days.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Corniche, Qatar
Doha Fort

'Al Koot', as it is often referred to locally, is a sturdy old fort that was built along Moorish design. It is one of Doha's few historical buildings and as such is worth visiting, with a modest display of art and crafts brightening up the interior. The courtyard is also a pleasant venue for relaxing by the fountain on a hot day.

Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Jasim bin Mohammed Street, Doha, Qatar
Telephone: 441 2742.
Ethnographic Museum

This museum is housed in one of the most attractive structures in Doha, an old wind tower that dates back as far as 1935, an eternity in such a modern city. Designed to self-ventilate, this lovely old building evokes a Doha that existed before the discovery of oil and the rapid development of the emirate and its smattering of exhibits attempt to do the same.

Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Grand Hamad Street, Doha, Qatar
Telephone: 443 6008.
Museum of Islamic Art

Designed by architect I M Pei, the much-anticipated Museum of Islamic Art opened its doors to the public in 2008. It holds one of the Middle East's biggest and most impressive collections of Islamic Art. It also boasts a library and a number of food outlets.

Opening Times: Mon, Wed and Sun 1000-1400, Thurs and Sat 1000-1400 and 2000-2300.
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Doha Bay, Qatar
Telephone: 422 4444.
Website: http://www.mia.org.qa
Palm Tree Island

This is a great place to relax in Doha, an island given over to leisure just off the coast. Take a boat over and in five minutes modern Doha has been replaced by a relaxed world of beaches, swimming pools and restaurants. As it is also largely pedestrianised, it is very popular as a safe oasis for families, both local and foreign.

Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Five-minute dhow trip from the jetty near the Sheraton Doha Hotel and Resort on the Corniche, Doha, Qatar
Telephone: 486 9151.
Qatar National Museum

This recently expanded museum sheds light on the history of Doha and how it got to where it is today. Highlights include traditional costumes, lavish jewellery and the maritime section that includes an old dhow. Oil and its impact on Qatar is also delved into. The palatial building itself is a fine example of Islamic architecture, dating from 1912.

Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Corniche, Doha, Qatar
Telephone: 444 2191.
Souk Waqif

Souk Waqif is a newly renovated market in the heart of Doha, where art galleries and independent restaurants have flourished. Tourists can find Qatari and Yemeni artifacts in charming shops throughout the souk.

Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Al-Jasra, Doha, Qatar
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